The East Lansing City Council discussed more than just plans for the city Tuesday, presenting the Citizens of the Year Award to Paul and Linda Roberts.
The East Lansing couple was recommended as worthy recipients of the award by Stanley Wronski, president of the Greater Lansing United Nations Association.
The award is given to the person or people every year who have contributed an outstanding accomplishment toward world peace and freedom.
The Roberts have been avidly involved in international studies programs for MSU as well as cultural understanding and communication skills with other countries.
Paul Roberts, who serves as the associate dean for international programs in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, has been with MSU and the MSU study abroad program since 1979.
“Even though I am really honored to be presented with this award, I think there are many others who have done just as much if not more for the international program than I have,” Roberts said.
Study abroad opportunities have expanded from one to more than 30 programs in the last 10 years since Paul Roberts started working in the program. Roberts has developed programs extending from Latin America to Mexico to China, said Jeffrey Riedinger, the associate dean for International Studies and Programs.
Riedinger said Paul Roberts has been a central figure in facilitating international studies programs for more than 10 years.
“He has played an invaluable role in promoting international studies within his college,” Riedinger said. “He is friendly and generous and such a great colleague.”
Besides traveling with students on 16 study abroad programs, the couple also hosts international students in their home.
Linda Roberts said it isn’t hard to host international students because they have so much to offer their hosts.
“To travel is to see the world through different eyes,” Roberts said. “When we leave our country and travel to another, things seem strange.
“When you travel more and more, the things you thought were strange become more familiar to you.”
Linda Roberts was a Spanish teacher in the Waverly Community School District. After she retired recently, she has started teaching in the MSU College of Education.
Linda has given the Citizen of the Year Award in the past, and when she was contacted about the award, she said she thought she was being asked to present the award again.
“It is such a humbling experience to be in the company of those who have received the award in the past,” she said.
East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows said the couple has contributed so much to the community and that no one is more deserving of the honor.
